Donald White Bear, age 86 of Fort Kipp, MT, formerly of Nishu, ND, passed away May 4th, 2013 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive, MT.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 10th at the Ralph Wells Memorial Complex in White Shield with Rev. Duane Fox officiating.

Burial will follow in the Old Scout Cemetery – rural White Shield

A wake service will be held at 5:00 P.M. Thursday at the Ralph Wells Memorial Complex.

Donald was born November 15, 1926 in Nishu, ND to Joseph White Bear, Sr. & Mae (Red Bear) White Bear. He grew up in the Nishu area and entered the U.S. Navy during World War II serving overseas. He returned to North Dakota and later moved to Fort Kipp, MT where he married. Donald moved to Forsythe, MT where he broke horses for area ranchers including the Charles DeKoch Ranch for several years. He returned to Fort Kipp, MT and was employed with a manufacturing plant in Poplar, MT. In the 1970's, Donald worked as an iron worker and welder in Colstrip, MT for several years and also lived in many other communities in Montana. Donald also worked as a school bus driver and a backhoe operator.

Donald lived the cowboy lifestyle. He was a good saddle bronc rider and an excellent ranch hand. He enjoyed working with leather and was a very good singer. He was taken to the drum at age nine by his grandfather and followed the Arikara customs. He mentored many younger singers including the Fort Kipp Singers. He attended many pow-wows in his lifetime.

Survivors include three daughters, Carol Bemer of Poplar, MT, and Donetta White Bear of Culbertson, MT, & Amber White Bear of ND; two sons, Maynard and Marley of Ft. Kipp, MT; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; one brother, Virgil Chase of Sanish, ND; and one sister, Yvonne Chase of New Town, ND.